St. Platonida of Syria

St. Platonida was at first a deaconess, but afterwards withdrew into the Nisibis Desert, where she organized a women’s monastery.

The Rule of her monastery was known for its strictness. The sisters partook of food only once a day. When they were not praying, they spent their time in monastic labors and various obediences.

On Fridays, the day commemorating the sufferings of Christ the Savior on the Cross, all work stopped, and the monks were in church from morning until evening, where between services they read from Holy Scripture and from commentaries on it.

St. Platonida was for all the sisters a living example of strict monastic asceticism, meekness, and love for neighbor. Having reached a great old age, St. Platonida died peacefully in the year 308.